Rick Lapointe was a mobile defenceman with a good shot from the point who could also play an abrasive style in his own zone. He played nearly 700 games for five clubs in an NHL career that spanned eleven years.

Born in Victoria, B.C., Lapointe played in the BCJHL with the Nanaimo Clippers before excelling on the WHL's Victoria Cougars. In 1974-75 he scored 70 points in 67 games, represented Canada at the World Junior Championships, and was taken fifth overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the Amateur Draft. He was also named to the first all-star units in the WCJHL and the World Junior tourney. The scouts were impressed with the youngster's playmaking ability and willingness to play aggressively in his own zone.

Lapointe was solid during his first two years with the mediocre Wings. After a trade to the Philadelphia Flyers in February 1977, he settled into a more defensive role and put up excellent plus/minus numbers. Prior to the 1979-80 season, Lapointe was dealt to the St. Louis Blues for Blake Dunlop. He solidified the club's blueline but was traded to the Quebec Nordiques for veteran forward Pat Hickey in August 1982.

The veteran spent more of his time with the Nord's AHL farm team. In 1983-84, he was a standout on the Fredericton Express and named to the league's first all-star team. Lapointe was a veteran role player on the L.A. Kings for two seasons before retiring in 1986.

REGULAR SEASON

PLAYOFFS

Season

Club

League

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

+/-

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

1971-72

Nanaimo Clippers

BCJHL

1971-72

Victoria Cougars

WCJHL

4

0

0

0

0

1972-73

Victoria Cougars

WCJHL

39

3

12

15

31

1973-74

Victoria Cougars

WCJHL

66

8

18

26

207

1974-75

Victoria Cougars

WCJHL

67

19

51

70

177

12

1

12

13

26

1974-75

Canada

WJC-A

5

2

3

5

16

1975-76

Detroit Red Wings

NHL

80

10

23

33

95

-3

1976-77

Detroit Red Wings

NHL

49

2

11

13

80

-17

1976-77

Kansas City Blues

CHL

6

0

0

0

6

1976-77

Philadelphia Flyers

NHL

22

1

8

9

39

+20

10

0

0

0

7

1977-78

Philadelphia Flyers

NHL

47

4

16

20

91

+35

12

0

3

3

19

1978-79

Philadelphia Flyers

NHL

77

3

18

21

53

+15

7

0

1

1

14

1979-80

St. Louis Blues

NHL

80

6

19

25

87

-24

3

0

1

1

6

1980-81

St. Louis Blues

NHL

80

8

25

33

124

+36

8

2

2

4

12

1981-82

St. Louis Blues

NHL

71

2

20

22

127

-6

3

0

0

0

6

1982-83

Quebec Nordiques

NHL

43

2

9

11

59

+14

1982-83

Fredericton Express

AHL

31

4

14

18

50

12

0

6

6

8

1983-84

Quebec Nordiques

NHL

22

2

10

12

12

+9

3

0

0

0

0

1983-84

Fredericton Express

AHL

54

8

22

30

79

1984-85

Los Angeles Kings

NHL

73

4

13

17

46

-10

1985-86

Los Angeles Kings

NHL

20

0

4

4

18

-13

NHL Totals

664

44

176

220

831

46

2

7

9

64

WJC-A All-Star Team (1975) WCJHL First All-Star Team (1975) AHL First All-Star Team (1984)

Traded to Philadelphia by Detroit with Mike Korney for Terry Murray, Bob Ritchie, Steve Coates and Dave Kelly, February 17, 1977. Traded to St. Louis by Philadelphia with Blake Dunlop for Phil Myre, June 7, 1979. Traded to Quebec by St. Louis for Pat Hickey, August 4, 1982. Signed as a free agent by Los Angeles, October 10, 1984.